SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, MI — North Saginaw Township scored three runs in the first inning, but could not solve Midland Fraternal reliever Trent Johnson in an 8-3 loss Saturday in the first game of a Little League 10-11 state sectional tournament at North Saginaw Township fields.

North took a 3-1 lead in the first when Johnson came on in relief and shut out North for the next five innings.

"He threw really well," North coach John Sullivan said. "That's the best we've seen so far."

Midland went on to score seven more runs to take the first game of a best-of-three series. The two teams play a second game at 4 p.m. Sunday at North Township fields. If North wins, it would force the "if" game at 4 p.m. Monday at North Township fields.

Brady Alverson led North with three hits, while Connor Krauseneck added two hits. Thomas Schultz allowed five hits and three earned runs in four innings on the mound.

North committed six errors.

"That was unusual," Sullivan said. "You don't get this far playing that sloppy."